Education officials are looking to give all parents of public-school students an advisory vote in elections for Community Education Council representatives – but critics are questioning the cost.

Currently, only school PTA officers are allowed to vote for CEC members in each of the 32 school districts under a state law that created the councils back in 2003.

The councils – including an additional two citywide boards – serve as an intermediary between parents and the Department of Education and are made up of nine elected members and two borough-president appointees.

Education officials said the push to expand the election to include all parents – even if their votes are only advisory – is meant to heighten awareness and participation in the councils.

Officials said there had been criticism after the most recent council elections, in 2007, garnered just 3,400 votes despite a $1.3 million investment by the Department of Education.